Chest tightening, I bend down grasping whatever I can get in my grip. Tears flowing freely down my face as panic claws its way up my chest.
“That's not my problem anymore.” He grunts as he heads to the closet, throwing the door open so hard it slams against the door with a loud bang. Causing me to flinch back, as I put another piece of clothing in my arm.
A thud lands beside me and I see the empty plastic maroon colored suitcase open beside me. Closely followed by more of my things.
“Markus, please. Let's talk about this.” It becomes harder to break with the rising panic. “I thought you'd be happy!” Wiping the tears from my cheek I scramble up beside him. Trying to intercept any more of my things from being tossed into the bag.
Blinding hot pain radiates across my cheek, my face knocked to the side. Blinking back spots, I stand there stunned as my sight comes back into focus.
The heat from where he slapped me registers on my hand as I cup my face. A sob escaping me, losing all control of my emotions now.
“What makes you think I'd be excited about this? I never wanted kids. Fucking leeches that you're stuck with for the rest of your life.” A scoff leaves him before he continues muttering his rant, “I can't even look at you. Makes me fucking sick, you make me sick.”
Where did it go wrong? I feel so stupid for having this fantasy that he would be excited about this news. My hand instinctively covers my stomach and he lingers over me. I won't let him touch me. Not again.
“Fine,” sniffing I wipe my hand across my nose, grabbing the rest of my clothes and stuffing what I can into the suitcase before zipping it up.
Markus just fucking stands there, muttering under his breath about how disgusting I am. How I better get rid of this “problem” quickly or he'll make sure it's dealt with.
An icy chill runs down my spine at that threat and I know I need to pick up the pace and get out of there, like now.
I'm almost free, fingertips grazing the doorknob when my head is yanked back. Pulling me so my back is against his chest.
Leaning forward I smell the stale beer on his breath as it fans across the side of my face. “Give me the key Evie.” He whispers into my ear.
Reaching into my jacket pocket I pull out my keys, my scalp screaming at the grip he has on my head. I fumble with the keys as I remove the key to the apartment from the keychain and hold it out to him.
His grip on my head releases as he reaches over and grabs the keys from my hand. Pain begins to spread across my hand causing a whimper to leave my lips, “let go of me Markus. I'm leaving just like you want.”
The hot feel of his breath grazing the hair on my neck makes my heart beat race faster than it already was. “That's not all I want, Evie. I want you to get rid of it. Get rid of it, or I'll come find you if I find out otherwise.”
He leans over me and opens the door, pushing me into the hall causing me to stumble. I hear the door slam shut behind me as I catch myself from falling to the ground.
I turn to see my suitcase sitting outside the door, my purse upside down, half of the contents splayed across the ground. Quickly I collect the items before wrapping my hand around the handle. Heading toward the elevator I quickly pull out my phone, finally able to see what time it is.
Three a.m. Fuck.
Tears are streaming down my face while I contemplate my next move. I can't go to my mom's. I just can't. She's a three hour drive away and I just can't drive that long right now.
I don't want to bother Harper. Her and Dalton work so hard, I can't be the person to bother them.
The elevator dings and I'm nowhere closer to figuring out where to go. But I have no choice but to keep moving forward, I need to get out of this building.
The cool fresh air feels like my first taste of freedom, but I'm not out of the woods yet. The need to flee intensifies, the fear of Markus changing his mind and coming after me is all consuming as I quicken my pace.
I come to my beat up corolla, unlocking it quickly. Once my bags are in I start the car and race out of the lot. Still unsure of my destination, I drive for an hour before my mind takes me to the place I knew I'd end up going.
Once parked, I grab my purse and get out. Quickly locking it before heading up the familiar path.
Taking a deep breath, I reach forward and ring the doorbell.
My eyes burn, from crying, from exhaustion. I feel like puking, my cheek still throbs.
The door opens to a sleepy Harper, fist rubbing her eyes, “Evie?” a yawn escapes her mouth, “what are you–”
She doesn't get to finish her sentence as the dams break and a choked sob leaves my body.
My eyes adjust as I find myself at the same place, just a different door.
